Cádiz's Newest Permanent Residents

It's hard to believe that we left America almost a week and a half ago.  It's even harder to believe that Minn and I no longer travel the streets of Cádiz with a map in hand (actually, more like a map held obnoxiously close to our faces- the sure sign of tourists).  We are basically permanent residents by now.  While we were walking to class the other day, a man stopped us and asked for directions.  In Spanish.  Which means that we could pass for Spaniards; how flattering!


We've walked a great deal around the city since we arrived here on Saturday, so we've really gotten to know where most of the major landmarks are located.  This is quite a feat given a) my extreme ineptness at finding my way around (just ask my brother- starting August 4th, that is) and b) the enigma-esque streets of Cádiz.  Check it out:

Yes, you are correct.  There is no rhyme or reason to the streets whatsoever; my professor warned us of this fact before we even arrived here.  However, it doesn't matter because maps are now a thing of the past for us.


In other news, classes have been going well.  Though it is tedious to sit in the same classroom for four hours with minimal breaks, the time passes by fairly quickly because the class content has been interesting.  Additionally, the view from the window in our classroom encompasses palm trees, a beautiful park, and the ocean.  One look in that direction reminds me that I can go to the beach as soon as class is over.


Which is exactly what we have been doing!  After classes end at 2, we all return to our houses and each lunch with our families.  Then we have been going to the beach for a few hours.  We go to the same spot every day so we can find everyone easily.  It's truly great to be at the beach with such a great group.  


Our group is so great that we found a way to celebrate the Fourth of July despite the fact that no one in this country, or in all Europe for that matter, even acknowledges the holiday (out of bitterness, perhaps, Britain?).  To start off the holiday right, many of us dressed in red, white, and blue for class.  I witnessed some strange looks being shot in my direction, but I was willing to make that sacrifice to show my pride for AMURICA!  Last night, all 29 of us (including our two graduate assistants) went to a bar and then to a dance club to celebrate the independence of our fine country.  What a blast it was!  The club DJ must have known that we Americans were coming because he played strictly American music for the most part.  Although, surprisingly, that is the case in most of Spain throughout my experience thus far.  You know those same songs that play every twenty minutes on American radio stations?  Turns out that I can't get away from them by traveling to a country eight hours away.  Go figure.


The other thing that I wanted to make note of is how nice of a city that Cádiz is.  While the vast number of shops, cafeterías (cafés), and bars might make the city seem immense and similar to a big American city, it is truly smaller than one might think. Minn and I were astounded repeatedly during our first few days when we would look up our destination on the map (back in the day when we actually needed them) and think that it was very far away only to discover that it was no more than a five-minute walk.  Everything is within a short walking distance and is easily accessible.  We have developed meeting points with our friends who live in "Old City," like we do, (as opposed to "New City," which is located further south in Cádiz and is where the majority of our classmates live) that are very close to all of us.  While I was running today, I passed by five different classmates throughout the city.  It's such a neat place!


Finally, the world needs to know about aggressiveness of European men.  Minn and I have begun to keep count of the number of times we have been whistled and catcalled at and called such names as "guapa," "bonita," and "hermosa" (all variations of "pretty" and "beautiful").  The guys over here have no shame; that's for sure.  I will admit that visitors of our ages are a rare commodity, given the fact that this seems to be a community mainly comprised of retirees.  However, we never fail to be both astounded and amused at these guys.  But don't worry, Mom and Dad, I bought pepper spray just in case.  Just kidding.  Unfortunately, that would send my suitcase over the weight limit.